Hey to all old and new readers. It's been a while since I've updated but I'm kind of back.
Previously:
"This will be farewell for good, Fairy Tail mage. Our paths will never cross again. So to answer your final question…"
With a small smile that was purely Lucy, Natsu watched her leave, falling down on his knees, his hand outstretched as if to reach her fading body.
"I don't know who you are."
Chapter 9: I miss her too
Erza and Gray had successfully caged the wolf in an ice prison fortified by Erza's swords when they heard the roar of anger that could only belong to Fairy Tail's resident fire dragon slayer and then an eerie silence. The pair exchanged worried glances knowing Natsu would only become this furious when someone had caused harm to one of their own or insulted Fairy Tail.
"You think Natsu caught the thief?" Gray asked.
Their attention was diverted back to the wolf when it rumbled out, "Master would never be caught by the likes of you."
"So you do speak. I warn you not to underestimate Fairy Tail." Erza stated calmly, fascinated by the turn of events.
"Don't underestimate my Master. She fights for us spirits." The wolf snarled before it faded in a flash of gold.
"So the thief was a female celestial mage. Just like her." Happy said teary-eyed, meeting the eyes of Erza and Gray.
"Let's go find Natsu." Erza said, feeling the pieces of the mystery enshrouding the thief falling into place.
Glass scattered on the floor. Scorch marks along the walls and floors. Embers still flickering in the air. A stoic Natsu on his knees. And no thief.
Erza was going to rage at Natsu about the wreckage when Gray placed a warning hand on her shoulder. Wait, his dark eyes conveyed, something isn't right with Natsu.
His suspicions were confirmed when Natsu smashed his fists into the ground, cracking the floor. They watched with wide eyes as he continued to senselessly destroy the ground beneath him and then he suddenly stopped. And twisted his head ominously to face them.
The trio's breathing hitched at his piercing gold tinted eyes and defined scales underneath them.
They all took a slow step back feeling the heat seep through their clothes as Natsu watched them like a predator stalking prey.
"Bring her back." Natsu said roughly.
"Natsu…where is the thief?" Erza asked calmly.
"Bring Lucy back to me."
Erza paused.
"Where is the thief?" She repeated.
"No thief…just Lucy. Lucy. Lucy. LUCY! WHERE IS LUCY! GIVE HER BACK TO ME!" Scales began to form over Natsu's arms as his hands that were pressed against his head moved away to reveal small horns.
"What's happening to Natsu?" Happy asked nervously.
"Is…this his…dragon side…?" Gray asked rhetorically.
Erza, always a bit quicker on the uptake put the clues together blinked in shock at the truth. "No thief, just Lucy. Our Lucy was the thief…?"
"But why wouldn't Lucy stay with us when she first encountered us?" Happy cried out. He ran towards Natsu, ignoring Gray and Erza's shouted warnings to stop.
Happy clenched onto Natsu even as he felt the fur on his tiny fists burning at the intense heat.
"Natsu, I miss Lucy a lot too! I miss Lucy's warm hugs! I miss Lucy's yummy food! I miss how Lucy always kept fish in her fridge for me! I miss how she cheered me up after a nightmare! I MISS LUCY TOO SO STOP NATSU!"
Gray and Erza stepped forward ready to knock Natsu unconscious to protect Happy from further injuries when Natsu lifted a hand for them to stop. Obliging, the pair watched with bated breath as the heated aura disappeared instantly as Natsu regained control over his primal side, the fire in his eyes dimming down to the normal onyx.
"Happy, look at me." The feline's foster father said in a soft but clear voice.
Happy shook his head firmly, face still buried in Natsu's coat.
"Buddy…look at me."
This time Happy denied his request with more hesitation.
"…I miss Lucy too."
Happy looked up at Natsu's face with tears and snot dribbling down his furry face.
"I miss her so much sometimes I can't even find the strength to get up knowing she won't be there to greet me at Fairy Tail. I miss her so much I can't breathe when I think about the trouble she could've gotten caught up in without me by her side. I miss Lucy just as much if not more than you buddy. So don't cry yet. Save the tears for when she's back with Fairy Tail. Back with us."
"…Aye sir."
"I will bring her back. Back to Fairy Tail. No matter the cost." Natsu vowed.
"Aye sir!"
"Natsu, was the thief indeed Lucy?" Erza piped up, sensing the important moment between the pair had passed as her and Gray approached Natsu.
"It was," Natsu said stumbling as he stood, "But it wasn't."
"Explain." Erza demanded.
"When I broke the mask she looked straight at me. And I couldn't see an ounce of recognition in her eyes when she did. Not to mention her Fairy Tail mark was gone as well."
"No way. Are you saying Lucy forgot about us? Every moment we spent with her?" Gray said in disbelief.
"But she clearly remembers her magic and her connection to the celestial spirits. So not every memory is gone, only ones…" Erza contemplated, deep in thought.
"…related to Fairy Tail." Natsu finished roughly.
"Gray, Happy do you remember what the wolf said to us?"
"Aye. He said to not underestimate Lucy and that she fights for the spirits." Happy answered.
"Like a knight. A celestial knight. That's what Lucy called herself." Natsu's eyes widened in realisation.
"Then the celestial spirits-" Gray said but was cut off by Natsu.
"They did this to Lucy."
"It seems we should visit Yukino at the Sabertooth guild." Erza noted. "But first…Natsu what have you done to the place?!"
Natsu gulped and Gray gave him a consoling pat before taking Happy and standing behind Erza and saluting Natsu.
Meanwhile Lucy after barely escaping to the celestial realm was thoroughly lectured by her spirit and was now resting while the twelve zodiacs convened with the Spirit King.
"Lucy's identity has been compromised. Now all of Fairy Tail will know." Loke said, before shuddering at the anger that the guild now probably felt towards him.
"Tch. That brat has been acting up ever since the first encounter with them." Aquarius said in an annoyed tone, but all the spirits knew she was concerned about their young master.
"Lucy is remembering! Remembering!" Gemini chimed in.
"Sorry! But isn't that a good thing, sorry!" Aries said, bowing her head constantly.
Loke patted her pink head soothingly before saying, "It's still too early for her to get her memories back. Fairy Tail will distract her from her role and as much as I hate to say it, the threat still hasn't been overcome."
"Princess seems lonely though." Virgo stated tonelessly but everyone's heads swung her way.
Loke sighed, "I know but we need her more than they need her."
"Perhaps we could at least tell the Fairy Tail Master." Capricorn suggested.
Unfortunately that brought another round of bickering and soon there were arguments breaking out.
"Enough!" The Celestial Spirit King ordered and all the zodiacs immediately sat down, guilty expressions on their faces.
"Regardless of which option we choose, my old friend will suffer and after all her family has done for us, I would like to minimise this pain, a wish I'm sure you all share."
All the spirits nodded.
"Pisces, Libra, according to what Leo has told me, Fairy Tail will most likely confront your master to confront you. You must not disclose my old friend's identity under any conditions."
The two zodiacs acknowledged their king's order.
"The meeting is done. May the stars watch over us all."
And then the zodiacs went their separate ways, unaware of the hidden Lucy who had listened to the whole meeting.
Fairy Tail.
Sabertooth.
Yukino.
Natsu.
A tear drop rolled down her face.
Who am I?
Her mind reflected on what she had heard.
After all my family has done?
Her eyes widened as her mother's sweet voice rang through her ears.
The Heartfilia line has always been connected to the stars. We have in the past, in the present and will continue to do so in the future. Such is our—
"Duty." A female voice, though seemingly rough with disuse piped up.
But that wasn't what made Lucy swerve around in shock.
"V-voice…?!"
That ends another chapter (lol it's really short). It's time to get things moving seeing as the pace is kinda slow. As always, thank you for all the favourites and follows and to all those who haven't given up on this story. #i am sorry
Special thanks to the people who reviewed (there were so many of you, SO HAPPY):
Flamey Owl: Yesh OP Lucy is awesome :3 makes me so happy when I see Lucy in the manga acting all kick-ass. What I have in next: cliffhanger, cliffhanger, cliffhanger (haha jks jks)
Johnny Spectre: hoho maybe there'll be an END reaction in the future ;)
LePengwen: haha it did take a long time didn't it. Trust me when I say it was just as tiring for the author as it was for you reader _
Mavis Senpai: the update took a long while didn't it? So very sorry Thank you for the review and I will try my very hardest to update faster
Kaylacutiepop: nawwww thanks for your kind words! It makes me very excited to see your reviews :D
Court818: he's gonna do what I make him do (mwahahaha) Thanks for the review :3
KkMarie9005: YAY thank you for reviewing again o
Bettsi24: I'M SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! Thank you for reviewing :)
DecemberRome: aww thank you for your kind words as always!
Cinder Dragneel: Because I am evil (hehehe mwahahaha) Lol I was tearing up at the end of writing chapter 8 as well :L
LavenderMoonRose: I've been gone even longer :O please don't forget meeeeeeeee
NaLuFtfanatic: It's okay to cry. I did too TT_TT the song was Amnesia by 5 Seconds of Summer. It's a nice song and it fit well with this plot ^^ Glad you felt the sad mood I set
Sydneste: The feels indeed! Natsu will bounce back though cause it's Natsu ;D
Ashcator2002: Sorry the update took so long :( I hope the next update will be faster. Thank you for your review !
Guest: HAHA I'D GIVE YOU MORE, BUT I AM A SLOW UPDATER
Xiaconis: Strong Lucy = awesome Lucy. Hehe who is that voice indeed! TO BE REVEALED
Lonewolf: I love cliffhangers, I'm glad you do too :D how should I make her get her memories back. So many options *w*
Sugarsugarrush: ;-; your words are too kind for an updater like me *buries crying face in hands*
BrennaCoris: I like Lisanna too! Everyone in Fairy Tail is too nice to kick anyone out ^_^ Thank you for your review :D
DON'T BE AFRAID TO REVIEW, I WILL ALWAYS GET BACK TO YOU. YOUR WORDS MAKE MY DAY PEEPS!